Tag Archive for New England Gardens

The Beautiful State of Maine

Out on Casco Bay in a 1928 Sailboat, the "Bagheera"

On Casco Bay in a 1928 schooner, the “Bagheera”

It has been so hot here in the D.C. area that we decided to escape the heat and go up to Maine to explore the Scarborough area, where eleven generations ago my husband’s ancestors first settled in the early 1600’s. The heat followed us, but it was a fabulous trip anyway.

 

We stayed on Black Point in the Prout’s Neck area, which was the home to the famous American painter Winslow Homer, and the inspiration for so many of his gorgeous nautical works.

Hiking the cliff walk.

Hiking the cliff walk. Winslow Homer’s studio in the distance.

 

 

Fabulous garden along the walk.

Fabulous garden along the walk.

There is a cliff walk all the way around the point to take in the amazing views. The rocky coastline is just gorgeous.

 

Stacks of stones in remembrance of others.

Stacks of stones in remembrance of others along the beaches.

There are lots of small islands and lighthouses — all picturesque, but what struck me most were the beautiful gardens. I never would never have guessed that the summer gardens would be so nice in Maine, having such harsh winters.

 

Many of the same things grow here as in my region of the mid-Atlantic, but the star of the show has to be the rugosa roses that are everywhere. They were all at the stage where the spent roses turn to rosehips, and it was gorgeous. Here’s an interesting fact: did you know that rosehip tea has more vitamin C than orange juice?

Another photo on the cliff walk.

Another view along the cliff walk.

The terrain is so steep that you see exposed roots like this wherever there is a large plant.

The terrain is so steep that you see exposed roots like this wherever there is a large plant.

Wild aster and goldenrod were all along the coastline

Wild aster and goldenrod were all along the coastline

Great place to sit and take it all in!

Great place to sit and take it all in!

The other side of the point- great beach club!

The other side of Prout’s Neck. Great beach club and dogs are allowed – yay!

I set about looking for heart shaped rocks and found several in no time. There are some really nice beach areas with benches made of driftwood, where people have placed stacks of stones in remembrance of others.

I will miss the slow pace up there, and sitting in the Adirondack chairs in front of the Black Point Inn watching the tide roll out in the setting sun after a long hike. I hope I get back to see it again!

Here are a few more photos of some of the highlights…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The rugosa rose or rosehips plant is seen everywhere in Maine. So beautiful!

The rugosa rose or rosehips plant is seen everywhere in Maine. So beautiful and must be moose resistant!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sun sets on this trip, but I hope to be back again soon-

The sun sets on this trip, but I hope to be back again soon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I could look at these views forever-

I could look at these views forever…

Summer Field Trip to New England

Summer blooms- golden yarrow, lamb's ears and coreopsis taking there turn in the spotlight.

Summer blooms in my garden — golden yarrow, lamb’s ears and coreopsis taking their turn in the spotlight. Before leaving for vacation, don’t forget to give your garden a deep watering!

With summer here, it was time to hit the road and see some of the beautiful sights this country has to offer. We hadn’t been to New England for a while, so we packed our cameras and took off. In eight days we covered a lot of territory: we took the train to Boston, rented a car and drove the coastline through Plymouth, Cape Cod, Newport, Mystic and more. The weather was fantastic, and we walked all over the place. There is so much of our country’s history stemming from New England, and we had fun seeing the sights.

I was impressed by what beautiful flowers were spilling from containers all over the city in Boston. I love the hanging boxes that so many of the North End restaurants and shops had above their entrances. The flowers were all so healthy, and you could tell a lot of effort had been put into taking care of the wonderful pocket parks all over the city.

The flowers above the entrances of shop and restaurants were amazingly beautiful all over Boston.

The flowers above the entrances of shops and restaurants were amazingly beautiful all over Boston.

 

I have a special love of beautiful entrances and enjoyed seeing how many fabulous carved doors had been lovingly restored in the historic district of Beacon Hill. It seemed each one was different, adorned with gorgeous topiary or some other equally special planter of flowers. Here are some of the highlights from a massive amount of photos — ENJOY!

Beautiful entryway in Beacon Hill.

Beautiful entryway in Beacon Hill. Lovingly restored doors flanked by urns of ivy and hydrangea.

Everywhere you looked- more beauty!

Everywhere you looked – more beauty!

The rocky coastline in Plymouth. The rock is in the impressive shelter on the beach.

The Plymouth Rock is in this impressive shelter on the Cape Cod coast.

This is a fence in Cape Cod. I love the natural element in coastal villages.

This is a fence in Cape Cod. I love the use of natural elements, wood and stone in all the coastal villages.

Although most of the really large,old trees were in great health this tree in Boston Common shows what can happen when termites attack.

Although most of the large old trees were in great health, this tree in Boston Common shows what can happen when termites attack.

Ivy topiaries were on the front porches of many homes.

Ivy topiaries were on the front porches of many homes in the historic districts.

The iron gates of "The Breakers" in Newport.

The iron gates of “The Breakers” in Newport, R.I. along the famous 10 Mile Drive.

The beautiful harbor in Hyannis. Can't wait to go back!

The beautiful harbor in Hyannis. Can’t wait to go back!

Back home again now- I did miss my pumpkin patch. Like Dorothy says- "There's no place like home."

Back home again now – I did miss my pumpkin patch. Like Dorothy says- “There’s no place like home.”

 

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